Tea Tree Oil for Skin: 9 Popular Uses and Benefits

Today, tea tree oil is famous for its large number of uses, especially for the skin. It has become an increasingly popular active ingredient in a wide variety of cosmetics, such as skin and nail creams, massage oils and skin wash products, due not only to its natural antiseptic action but also to its strong anti-inflammatory abilities.  

Tea tree oil is considered one of the safest essential oils for use on the skin and, in some cases, can be used undiluted in very small amounts. First, perform a tolerance test on a small area of ​​skin. To be safe, it's best to dilute it in a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, almonds, or jojoba.

1. Treat acne

Tea tree oil contains powerful antibacterial and antifungal compounds known to reduce inflammation that can lead to swelling of the skin. A study by the Department of Dermatology in Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia, Prince Alfred Hospital, found that when comparing the effectiveness of tea tree oil with benzoyl peroxide, a drug commonly used for acne, "5% Tea tree and 5% benzoyl peroxide had a significant effect in relieving patients' acne. "

Other research, the Skin Disease Research Center at Isfahan University in Iran, has shown that tea tree oil has been effective for mild to moderate acne. In the study, patients were divided into two groups, one of whom was treated with a placebo and the other with tea tree oil. Patients were followed for 45 days, with controls at 15-day intervals. The results showed a dramatic difference between those taking the placebo and those receiving the tea tree oil; the oil was 5.8 times more effective when the acne reached its worst stage.

All you need is a small amount of tea tree oil to unblock the sebaceous glands. It will dry out pimples, black and white spots, fade spots, and also disinfect affected skin.

You can apply the oil directly on the pimples, with an ear stick, once or twice a day. If you have rashes on your body, add 15 drops of tea tree oil in 50 ml of almond, coconut or jojoba oil and lubricate the areas affected by acne. It can be left on the skin for a few hours or overnight.

If you have very sensitive skin, use the tea tree oil diluted in coconut oil or the version already diluted. Be careful not to overdo it, tea tree oil is more delicate than benzoyl peroxide, but it can also dry out the skin if used several times a day. And because tea tree oil can make you more sensitive to UV rays, make sure you use sunscreen before going outside.

Unfortunately, even when acne heals, it can leave blemishes and scars. But, there is good news: if you have acne scars, tea tree oil can help with this. 

Tea tree oil brightens these scars and also helps restore the skin's natural oil balance. Also, it can penetrate deep into the pores to eliminate toxins and prevent clogging that can cause acne again.

A particularly useful recipe for removing scars with tea tree oil is to combine a tablespoon of honey with five drops of tea tree oil. Apply it to clean the skin and massage gently for 2-3 minutes. Then leave the mask on for about 20 minutes or until completely dry. After that, rinse with warm water. By repeating this process daily, you will see that the scars begin to fade.

2. Relief of psoriasis

Psoriasis, which is characterized by red, sometimes inflamed areas of the skin, occurs when dead skin cells begin to grow on the surface of the skin, in the form of dry, red crusts or spots and cause itching that can be painful and irritate. The discomfort can be alleviated by using tea tree oil, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, and can also help speed healing.

Tea tree oil is effective because it helps remove those dry and dead skin cells that cause psoriasis. Its antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties help relieve itching, redness, and burns. It also helps control the overproduction of skin cells. It contains 4-terpinol, considered a mild antiseptic - non-irritating to the skin, but extremely effective, which effectively kills bacteria and fungi while penetrating deep into the skin layers to reduce psoriasis scars.

Combine ten drops of tea tree oil with two tablespoons of melted coconut oil. Apply enough to cover the affected area. Repeat two to three times a day.

3. Eczema

Eczema can be a very frustrating problem, characterized by severe rash, dryness, itching, and even the constant need to scratch - in some cases, the symptoms are so severe that it is difficult to sleep. Tea tree oil, with its antiseptic properties, helps soothe itching and heal the skin while also reducing inflammation. If an infection occurs, the antibacterial compounds in the oil can fight the infection and prevent it from spreading.

To cure eczema, mix 30 drops of tea tree oil with 50 ml of coconut oil. Gently apply the mixture to the affected areas twice a day. If you suffer from eczema in large areas, a bath in which you drip 20-30 drops of tea tree oil will soothe your skin and help you have a restful sleep.

4. Cuts and infections

If you have a cut or infection, tea tree oil combined with lavender essential oil is an ideal ointment to have at home. First, make sure you clean the cut thoroughly using hydrogen peroxide. After that, dilute three drops of tea tree oil and two drops of lavender oil in a teaspoon of jojoba oil, apply on the area and cover with a bandage to prevent infection.

5. Irritation after shaving, shaving

Irritation can be quite uncomfortable or even painful if you do not treat it. Applying a small amount to the area, it works as a similar natural astringent. After shaving, add two drops of tea tree oil to a teaspoon of base oil (almonds, coconut, jojoba), apply on skin areas prone to irritation/burning. 

6. Onychomycosis - fungal infections of the nails

 

It's a very common problem that affects many people and is often caused by a humid environment where the fungus can grow. A fungal infection of the nails, both on the hands and feet, will most likely start as a white or yellow spot on the nail. It can be said to be a fungal infection when one or more nails are affected. Onychomycosis can lead to discoloration and thickening of the nails, which become painful over time. According to MayoClinic.com, tea tree oil is successfully used to treat fungal nail infections. Drugs.com reports that tea tree oil is as effective as clotrimazole but without side effects and toxicity.

To be effective, tea tree oil must be applied properly:

• remove dead nails as much as possible by cutting with scissors/nail polish

• wash hands/feet with soap with tea tree oil; it's even recommended to keep your feet/hands for 15 minutes in warm water in which you put 4-5 drops of tea

tree oil • apply tea tree oil on a cleansing disk and dab by thoroughly pressing each nail or use a chopstick ear soaked in tea tree oil, and let the nails dry

Repeat daily, morning and evening, for seven days, then repeat twice a week until healing and once a month for maintenance. 

7. Cleanser

Tea tree oil is an excellent ingredient in a face cleansing lotion. Mix 50 ml of cold-pressed almond oil with ten drops of tea tree oil in a glass jar with a lid. Stir until well blended and then store in a cool, dark place. To remove makeup and dirt from the face, neck, and décolleté, soak a cotton pad with the solution, wipe the face thoroughly, and rinse with warm water. With this cleansing solution, you also prevent the appearance of acne and pimples.

8. Warts

Tea tree oil will help you get rid of warts because it contains antiviral and antiseptic properties that fight the virus. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 20 million Americans carry some form of human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause them to form on the hands, feet, or genitals. Warts are generally not painful, but they are useless and embarrassing. Applying the oil will stop the infection and the development of fungi and bacteria from reducing inflammation, redness, and irritation. Because it contains a powerful antimicrobial known as terpinen-4, it attacks HPV that causes warts. It will stop them from growing and dry them so that they will fall naturally.

First, wash your hands and the area around the wart well. Then apply a drop or two of 100% tea tree oil on the wart. Place a bandage over it and leave it for at least eight hours or, ideally, overnight. In the morning, remove the bandage and clean the area. Repeat the process, placing a fresh bandage again. Continue to follow this process until the wart disappears or decreases, usually between 1 and 4 weeks.

9. Sunburn

Mix a tablespoon of coconut oil with three drops of tea tree and a drop of lavender essential oil and apply carefully to sunburned areas. Soothes, disinfects, and moisturizes sunburned skin.